Scientology recruits asylum seekers in Dublin, promising them ‘help with refugee status’
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Before June of this year, Anas Ishtiah had never heard of the Church of Scientology. The Jordanian-Palestinian was staying at the Crooksling tented international protection accommodation centre in Co Dublin when he was approached in the early summer by a Nigerian resident who suggested he volunteer with the controversial organisation.
“He said I’d get a certificate that would help me with my refugee status and give me an advantage to remain in Ireland, and that they would help me with job interviews,” Ishtiah recalls.
He also agreed to set up a Crooksling-Scientology WhatsApp group to help recruit other Arabic-speaking asylum seekers in the camp. Up to 200 asylum seekers subsequently joined the group.
“Half the people in Crooksling don’t speak English so I had a chance to be translator for them. I told them the same thing I’d been told, that this would help with their refugee status,” he said.
Content retrieved from: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/social-affairs/2024/11/16/scientology-recruits-asylum-seekers-in-dublin-amid-claims-of-help-with-refugee-status/.
